Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Thankful Christmas

Hi, All,
I haven't posted anything in a very long time. Not much at writing. But this past 2007 Christmas was without a doubt the best Christmas we have ever had. Ever! Reason--we celebrated a home coming instead of a funeral.
On December 18, 2007 I had just left town to head to ST Louis, Mo. My sister was having a major surgery. I was following my parents up to be with my sister and her husband for the surgery. As I pulled onto to I-44 my cellphone rang. It was my husband. As soon as I answered, I knew something was terribly wrong. My husband is a rock.. He never gets rattled. From the tone in his voice, I knew it was serious. I whipped my truck over on the shoulder of the road and asked what had happened. My husband's response, "I have to tell you something. And it is bad."
Our oldest twin son owns a construction company. He erects steel buildings. He had just climbed up on the iron, harness on, lanyard in place, he slipped and fell 18 feet headfirst onto a concrete slab. Wasn't good news. He was in critical condition and was being life flighted back to the trauma center. The town he was working in is small without a big hospital. And they were not equipped for this type of injury.
It was a nerve racking drive back to the hospital. My husband and I met up with our son's wife. Called our son's twin brother and our daughter. My parents both came straight back. Our pastor and his wife came with us to the hospital.
Five long hours in surgery with four specialists to put our son back together. Amazingly and miraculously, no brain damage,, No nerve damage. Skull fracture, broken nose, both arms broke as well as one shoulder. broken eye socket. Neck broken in 6 places. But not one thing wrong below his armpits. Not even a scratch. Broken neck doctor said was no big deal. Broke the outside of the vertebra so no worries there. Jaw broken in three places which meant mouth wired shut.
Two days in ICU. Four days on the regular floor... And our son came home on Christmas Eve. That was his only wish. Come home for Christmas and be with his family.
The doctors have told us repeatedly we are seeing a miracle, God's hand at work. Today I received a call from our daughter in law. All she said was someone wants to talk to you. It was our son. A full 2-1/2 weeks early the doctor removed the wires from his mouth. I could understand him over the phone. What a great call!
The gifts around the Christmas tree this year seemed nothing in comparison to having our son resting on the sofa.
Yes, this was the best Christmas. We celebrated a home coming and not a funeral. Thank the Lord!